Chemical flooding and controlled pressure pulse fracturing process for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from subterranean formations

Patent · Tue Aug 04 04:00:00 EDT 1987

OSTI ID:6219053

Pathak, P; Salter, S J

This patent describes a method for producing hydrocarbon fluids from a subterranean formation into which at least one injection well and at least one production well have been drilled, respectively, the method comprising the steps of: injecting fluid into the formation through the injection well to form a flood front extending toward at least one production well; terminating injection of the fluid; placing gas generating means in the injection well and generating a relatively high pressure pulse of gas in the injection well to create multiple fractures in the formation extending substantially radially from the injection well but not beyond the flood front; injecting a surfactant into the injection well after creating the multiple fractures to form a generally uniformly expanding flood front in the formation extending toward at least one production well; and injecting a drive fluid into the injection well to drive the slug of surfactant and hydrocarbon fluids toward at least one production well for the production of the hydrocarbon fluids.

• Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Co., Los Angeles, CA
• Patent Number(s): US 4683951
• OSTI ID: 6219053
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FAILURES
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
FUELS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
HYDROCARBONS
INJECTION WELLS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PRESSURIZING
RECOVERY
STIMULATION
SURFACTANTS
WATERFLOODING
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS